Worker rescued by crane after fire at site in Reading
Two people have been taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Last updated 23rd Nov 2023
A large fire has broken out at a building at the Station Hill development site in Reading.
Footage on social media showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from what appeared to be a tall construction site near the centre of the Berkshire town.
One video appeared to show a workman who was trapped on the roof being lifted to safety by a crane.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received reports of the blaze near Napier Road at 11.38am on Thursday.
It said: "A number of our crews are currently on the scene. While emergency services work, we ask that people avoid the area where possible and close windows and doors if you live or work nearby."
A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said two people had been taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The spokesperson said: "I can confirm we've taken two people to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for further assessment and treatment for smoke inhalation, neither of whom were severe cases.
"We are now on stand-by supporting the fire service (which is a standard operational procedure when they are working at height and at scale).
"We have our hazardous area response team, an ambulance, the Thames Valley Air Ambulance critical care car, an operational commander, a tactical adviser and a tactical commander at the scene."
Redwood Consulting, on behalf of Station Hill, said: "We activated our fire emergency plans immediately, the emergency services were notified and are currently on site.
"The safety of those on site and the wider public is always our first priority, and the site has been evacuated as a result."